It

Lyrics:Robert HunterMusic:Robert Hunter

Part of Robert Hunter's performing repertoire, but never released on
an album.

I got a letter and the postage was due
I never shoulda read it but returned it to you
I never got such a dumb letter before
Ain't gonna read 'em, don't send me no more
Here's a map to the kitchen, a ticket to the door
Got enough trouble, not looking for more, thanks

It, it
What can it be?
It, it, it, it
Fooling with me

I read in your letter that my business had failed (note 1)
Then I read my mother had escaped from jail
Lookin' me up, she thinks I put her in
Gonna lay me flat with a rollin' pin
My turtle and my goldfish have committed suicide
Now you tell me to take it all in my stride, thanks

It, it
What can it be?
It, it, it, it
Fooling with me

Maybe I'll get it before it gets me
Maybe I'll regret it, I'll chance it and see
Maybe I'll forget it until it comes due
then pay the penalty and the interest, too
Maybe I'll claim it on what I deduct
which they might not allow
It all depends on my luck

It, it
What can it be?
It, it, it, it
Fooling with me

I had a friend who got it on his shoe
He laid the blame on me, I tried to lay it on you
You laid it on another, just a bump on the log
No one even thought to lay it on the dog
Now I'm just sitting here sad as can be
wondering what it's got in store for me

It, it
What can it be?
It, it, it, it
Fooling with me

Notes(1) in a 1981 live performance, Robert Hunter sang this
verse with some variations:

First thing I read was that my business had failed
Then I read that Gridley had escaped from jail
He's lookin' me up because I put him in
He's gonna bust my head with a bowling pin
All [this ice] is taken for a ride
And lately I've been thinking of committing suicide